South Florida gets Butlers in the Buff

Butlers in the Buff is a male-order company (get it?) where the staff wear butt-baring attire while serving cocktails and hors d'oeuvres — bringing a wow factor to fundraisers, bridal showers, corporate events, wedding receptions, birthdays and private parties.

The cheeky idea was imported from the U.K. and Australia by Alexandra Jones, a cosmetologist who discovered the service "at my best friend's wedding," she said during a telephone interview. "It was the bachelorette party, and I thought it was so clever. You know the male stripper thing can be really tacky and embarrassing, but this was fun."

So when Jones and her husband moved to Bradenton, she started up the hospitality franchise in the Tampa-Sarasota-Orlando-Naples area, and now she's expanding into South Florida. A talent search in January at Il Bacio restaurant in Delray Beach yielded plenty of hunka-hunka-burning-love results: guys with the total package, one might say.

"We were looking for guys who are both great-looking and with a great personality," said Jones, a mother of two young children. "They come from all walks of life: students, golf professionals, paramedics, restaurant service, electricians. Most of them end up saying to me, 'I can't believe you pay me to do this.'"

Even though the 21- to 35-year-old guys are outfitted in nothing more than a bow-tie, collar, shirt cuffs and apron (y'know, in case they're serving hot canapes), the butlers say it is an outgoing persona that really sticks out … er … stands out at the events.

"You make the party," said Billy Kiraly, 21, who's been with the company almost a year. "You are the entertainment. I love going out there and talking to people. You really need a personality because without it you're just a waiter with your butt hanging out."

The Boynton Beach resident, a senior at Florida Atlantic University who's majoring in accounting, says the biggest request — believe it or not — is for photographs. "Everyone wants a picture with the butler. You take so many pictures."

Of course, there is a no-touching policy. But clients can ogle all they want, and are encouraged to do so — within the confines of the company's strict handbook, an etiquette and grooming guideline, said Jones, who added that she also makes sure the butlers are comfortable working at gay events.

"I was working this birthday party for a gay gentleman and this guy kept dropping his fork on the floor and asking me to pick it up," said Kiraly, with a laugh. "He was really funny. They train you not to bend over. You have to kind of curtsy."

For more information, go to ButlersInTheBuff.com/fl or call 941-309-5430.